Both the Independent and the Times report a surge in Scottish allegiance among some of the citizenry. The town changed hands "at least 14 times between 1296 and 1482", the Independent says, but has been English ever since.

"Berwick Rangers are the only English team to play in the Scottish league," the Times points out. But the paper warns a shift could be the thin end of the wedge, thanks to the relatively generous benefits for the elderly available in Scotland and the lack of university tuition fees.

One aspect of border change that does not appear to have been considered is that if Berwick were granted Scottish benefits, Alnwick would want it next, then Newcastle upon Tyne. The Scottish border could end up somewhere in the Isle of Wight.

"It is not a very realistic option," the local MP, Alan Beith, says. "The urgent thing is to give people in north Northumberland services comparable to those in Scotland." He would say that: he's a Lib Dem. But the leader of the local borough council agrees. "Everything here is governed by English law. Scottish law is different, so everything would have to be changed. It would be an utter nightmare."

A Scottish Nationalist MSP has lodged a motion at Holyrood calling for Berwick to be reassigned to Scotland. But the first minister, Alex Salmond, has reassured residents that the town won't be taken by force.